A FLAT-SIDED PHOTOBIOREACTOR FOR CULTURING MICROALGAE

A V-shaped flat-sided photobioreactor (working volume: 2 litre) was de signed and used to grow the microalga Porphyridium cruentum for biopol ymer production. Mixing of culture in the bioreactor was provided by a mixture of air/CO2 supplied through sintered glass in the form of fin e bubbles from the base of the bioreactor. The advantages of this flat -sided photobioreactor are the high surface-to-volume ratio, efficient mixing, low shear force, low cost and absence of wall growth.